Refrigerator-box.



Patented Feb. 6, |900.

No. 643,0l3.

C. J. STUART.

REFHIGERATR BOX.

(Application led Aug. 29, 1899.

(N0 Model.)

- sity may require it while in transit without NTTnn STATES PATENTTric-a,

REFRIGERATOR-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent N o. 643,013, dated February6, 1900.

Application filed August 29, 1 8 99.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. STUART, a citizen of the United States,residing at Puyallup, in the county of Pierce and State of Washington,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerator-Boxes;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. i The inventionrelates to refrigerator-boxes for the transportation for long distancesof perishable goods-such, for instance, as berries and other fruits.

The object of the invention is to so construct a refrigerator-box thatthe ice may be easily and expeditiously replenished as neceshandling thebox or disturbing the fruit when the boxes are placed one upon theother.

To this end the invention consists in certain features of constructionand combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described andclaimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view with the lid of the boxswung open and the hinged front section swung down. Fig. 2 is a verticalsectional view. Fig. 8 is a view of one of the side pieces of the box,showing its slatted construction.

In the accompanying drawings the same reference characters indicate thesame parts of the invention.

l denotes the box, which may be of any desired shape, and 2 denotes itscover, which is preferably hinged thereto. The sides, bottom, and coverof the box are each preferably composed of two pieces a l), with aninterposed lining or sheet of asbestos c. The inner sides of the box areprovided with vertical slats 3 to form air-channels. The front of thebox, near its top, hasa hinged section 4, which when folded up is flushwith the upper edge of the box and is adapted to be secured to the coverby a fastening 5.

6 denotes an ice pan or receptacle which is itted in the top of the boxand supported upon ledges '7.l

8 denotes a short drip-tube, whichis secured to the bottom of the pan 6and leads into the funnel end of a drip-tube 9, secured to one o'f thesides of the box and leading out of the Serial No. 728,883. (No model.)

bottom thereof. It will thus be seen that when the pan is inserted inposition its short d ripltube, which is preferably flexible, will fallinto and communicate with the drip-tube of the box and conduct the waterin the pan out through the bottom of the box.

In shipping goods the boxes are usually placed one on top of the other,and heretofore great difficulty has been experienced in replenishing theboxes with ice, as it became necessary to remove the boxes one from overthe other in order to raise the lids to supply -the interior with ice.

My invention provides for the refilling of the ice-pans withoutdisturbing or handling the boxes, as all that is necessary is tounfasten the hinged section 4 from the cover, swing it down, remove thepan, lill it with ice, and then put it back in place in the box, afterwhich the hinged section is raised and secured in position.

It will be noticed that the hinged section, like the sides of the box,is provided with slats lO to form ducts that communicate with theair-ducts in the front side of the box, so as to furnish the goodsWithin the box with a free circulation of cold air. f

It will of course be understood that various changes in the form,proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted towithout departing from the principle or sacrilicing any of theadvantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is-

A box of the character described composed of the end pieces, the sidepieces and the base, fixed together, and provided with a cover, one ofthe side pieces being of less height than the other side piece and theend pieces, a strip having its lower edge hinged to the upper edge ofthe shorter side piece, and when folded up in place has its upper edgeflush with. the upper edges of the ends and the other side piece, theinterior walls of the box being provided with vertical cleats to formair-ducts, and theinterior wall of the hinged strip being provided withcleats to form air-ducts and continuations of the cleats on the shorterside of the box, an ice pan or receptacle arranged and supportedimmediately beneath the cover IOO of the box and capable of beingWithdrawn my hand in presence of two subscribing Witthrough the openingin the front; of the box messes. formed by swnnno the hinfred stripdown- ,1 Wardly, and L dail-pipe forcsaid pan or re- CHARLES J' STUARI 5ceptaole, substantially as and for the purpose Witnesses:

G. E. KEPHART, B. KOHNER.

Set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set

